Sayaw Sa Obando
Every May, the town of Obando in the province of Bulacan, celebrates the Obando Fertility Dance Festival or also known as Obando Fertility Rites or Sayaw sa Obando.
People from the town even the pilgrims wear the traditions dance costumes to dance along the streets followed by their 3 patron saints, San Pascual Baylon (St. Paschal), Sta. Clara (St. Claire) and Nuestra Senora de Salambao (Our Lady of Salambao) while singing the Song of Clara, Pinung-Pino.
The festival originated from the ancient fertility dance (pregnancy) called Kasilonawan or Pista ng Kasilonawan. It was introduced by the Spanish missionaries to replaced the locals' object of veneration.
Schedules of the 3-day Festival that honors the three (3) patrons of the town of Obando are as follows:
- May 17- San Pascual de Baylon (St. Paschal), patron saint for people who are looking to marry and to have baby boys.
- May 18- Sta. Clara (Saint Claire), patron saint for people who want to have baby girls
- May 19- Nuestra Senora de Salambao (Our Lady of Salambao), protector of the fishermen. Obando's main source of livelihood is fishing.
